When fans become a problem

Hollywood celebrities are used to being fol­lowed around by fans and the paparazzi. In the Philippines, showbiz personalities hardly get stalked – or so we thought. Last week, comedians Pokwang and Pooh filed a complaint against an irate “fan” who al­legedly threw stones at their beauty parlor on West Avenue, Quezon City Thursday evening last week.

The police identified the suspect as Michael Balboa, 25. They said he is a former felon who was just released from prison. Witnesses said Balboa just suddenly threw rocks at the salon, breaking its windows and door. Hurt during the incident is employee Roy Perartilla, 28, who sustained several cuts on his arms from the shattered glass.

Although Perartilla had admitted to police that he had a romantic relationship with the suspect, hinting that a petty “lover’s quarrel” triggered the incident, police are studying whether Balboa may have had another mo­tive. “This could also be about money … or [Pok­wang] herself… everything is still under inves­tigation.”

It was not the first time a showbiz personal­ity has had troubles with fans. Early this year, the daughter of popular couple Claudine Barreto and Raymart San­tiago was almost kidnapped by a fan. Joanne Castro aka Anna Liza Reyes pre­tended to be a relative of the actress and at­tempted to “borrow” the actress’ daughter Sabina from her nanny.

After being caught in an entrapment opera­tion, Castro admitted she was a “fan” and that she only wanted to “be close” to the actress. For her attempt, Castro was detained for 5 days and was fined a mere P100.